How can I try a devices to see if it work before I purchase it?

Pennsylvania has several assistive technology resource centers. The two I am most familiar with are list below.

PATTAN.PNG

[[http://www.pattan.net/ |Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network]]


Pattan loans equipment to educators for the purposes of evaluation and training. This organization does not lend equipment directly to families or individuals.

Short Term Loan
The Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (//__PaTTAN__//) Short Term Loan (//__STL__//) Program is a library of assistive technology and resource materials available to local Educational agencies (LEAs) for trial and evaluation. The //__STL__// Program provides assistive technology and resource materials to educators, and provides LEAs with the tools to effectively assess and evaluate the assistive technology needs of students up to age 21. These include:
  • Assistive Technology Short Term Loan kits containing augmentative communication, computer access, written communications, environmental controls, and technology for sensory impairment (hearing and vision)
  • Resource Materials Short Term Loan kits containing Autism, Reading, Educational Interpreter, Secondary Transition, Behavior, and general resources
Pennsylvania educators who are employed or contracted by a //__LEA__// can participate in the //__STL__// program by having the school principal or chief administrator complete the STL Participation Form, available in __PDF__or __Word__ format.

[[http://www.pattan.net/supportingstudents/shorttermloan.aspx |Search Pattan's Inventory for a Device]]

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)

[[http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/piat/ |Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)]]
Telephone
Voice: 800-204-PIAT (7428), in state
TTY: 866-268-0579, in state
Voice/TTY: 215-204-1356

Email
ATinfo@temple.edu

Mailing Address
Institute on Disabilities


1755 N. 13th Street
Student Center, Room 411S

Philadelphia, PA 19122

PIAT loans devices to educators, individuals, and families.


Access to Assistive Technology (AT), or "How do I Know What I Need?"
    • Device Demonstrations—A hands-on opportunity to learn more about different AT devices so individuals can make an informed choice about what will work best for them. For more information, email ATdemo@temple.edu.
    • Device Loans—Pennsylvanians of any age and ability can borrow AT devices, at no cost, to try at work, school, home or in their neighborhoods. This short-term loan program has a "try before you buy" philosophy, and helps people with disabilities and their families make the right choice of AT devices before they obtain a device. For more information, emailATlend@temple.edu.
  • Acquisition of Assistive Technology, or "How do I Get What I Need?"—Device Reutilization and Recycling: Previously owned devices are an affordable option instead of buying new, and several options are available to Pennsylvanians, including classified listing of used devices (REEP), an online auction site (www.ATMATCH.com) and refurbishing programs (Into New Hands and Liberty Wheels). For more information, email ATreuse@temple.edu.



Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library

[[http://disabilities.temple.edu/tech/ |Search the PIAT library for a device]]

  • AT Focus—The Newsletter of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library
    A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library
    • Assistive Technology Device Demonstration
      Providing opportunities for "guided exploration" of a specific device or category of devices.

    • Funding for Assistive Technology
      Providing funding guidance for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services.

    • Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library
      Stocking hundreds of items ranging from adapted toys to wheelchairs to aid individuals with disabilities in decision-making about possible purchase.

    • HEAT - Pennsylvania's Higher Education Assistive Technology Lending Program
      Providing students with semester-long loans of assistive technology devices.

    • REEP - Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership
      Listing service for people with disabilities to donate, sell or buy a wide variety of assistive devices.